U.S. patent application number 16/280834 was filed with the patent office on 2019-06-13 for imaging module and reader for, and method of, expeditiously setting imaging parameters of imagers for imaging targets to be read.
The applicant listed for this patent is SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. Invention is credited to David P. Goren, Harry E. Kuchenbrod, Chinh Tan, Carl D. Wittenberg.
Application Number | 20190182413 16/280834 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58687975 |
Filed Date | 2019-06-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190182413 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tan; Chinh ; et al. |
June 13, 2019 |
IMAGING MODULE AND READER FOR, AND METHOD OF, EXPEDITIOUSLY SETTING
IMAGING PARAMETERS OF IMAGERS FOR IMAGING TARGETS TO BE READ OVER A
RANGE OF WORKING DISTANCES
Abstract
An imaging reader has near and far imagers for imaging
illuminated targets to be read over a range of working distances. A
range finder determines a distance to a target. A default imager
captures a minor portion of an image of the target, and rapidly
determines its light intensity level. At least one of the imagers
is selected based on the determined distance and/or the determined
light intensity level. The exposure and/or gain of the selected
imager is set to a predetermined value, and an illumination level
is determined, also based on the determined light intensity level
and/or the determined distance. The selected imager, which has been
set with the predetermined value, captures an image of the target,
which has been illuminated at the illumination light level.
Inventors: |
Tan; Chinh; (East Setauket,
NY) ; Goren; David P.; (Smithtown, NY) ;
Kuchenbrod; Harry E.; (Kings Park, NY) ; Wittenberg;
Carl D.; (Water Mill, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC |
Lincolnshire |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58687975 |
Appl. No.: |
16/280834 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15083493 |
Mar 29, 2016 |
10244180 |
|
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16280834 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/2258 20130101;
H04N 5/243 20130101; G06K 7/10722 20130101; G06K 2007/10524
20130101; H04N 5/2256 20130101; H04N 5/2354 20130101; G06K 7/10801
20130101; H04N 5/2353 20130101; G06K 7/10881 20130101; H04N 5/2352
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/235 20060101
H04N005/235; H04N 5/225 20060101 H04N005/225; G06K 7/10 20060101
G06K007/10 |
Claims
1. An imaging module for setting at least one imaging parameter of
at least one imager for imaging targets to be electro-optically
read over a range of working distances away from the module, the
module comprising: an imaging assembly including a near imager for
imaging targets over a relatively wider imaging field of view, and
a far imager for imaging targets over a relatively narrower imaging
field of view, the near imager being separate from the far imager,
one of the near imager or the far imager being a default imager; an
illuminating light assembly for illuminating targets with
illumination light; a range finder for determining a distance to a
target; and a main controller for controlling the default imager to
capture a minor portion of an image of the target, for determining
a light intensity level of the captured minor portion of the image,
for selecting at least one of the imagers based on at least one of
the determined distance and the determined light intensity level,
for controlling the illuminating light assembly to illuminate the
target with illumination light at an illumination light level based
on the at least one of the determined distance and the determined
light intensity level, for setting the at least one imaging
parameter of the selected at least one imager to a predetermined
value based on the at least one of the determined light intensity
level and the determined distance, and for controlling the selected
at least one imager, which has been set with the predetermined
value, to capture an image of the target, which has been
illuminated at the illumination light level.
2. The module of claim 1, and a memory accessible to the main
controller for storing a plurality of predetermined values of the
at least one imaging parameter for retrieval by the main
controller, and wherein the predetermined values are different
based on the at least one of the determined light intensity level
and the determined distance.
3. The module of claim 2, wherein the main controller includes an
exposure controller and a gain controller, wherein the plurality of
predetermined values stored in the memory include a set of exposure
values for retrieval by the exposure controller and a set of gain
values for retrieval by the gain controller, wherein the exposure
values are different based on the at least one of the determined
light intensity level and the determined distance, and wherein the
gain values are different based on the at least one of the
determined light intensity level and the determined distance.
4. The module of claim 1, wherein the default imager is controlled
by the main controller to operate at a predetermined frame rate,
and wherein the main controller determines the light intensity
level from the minor portion of the image at a rate faster than the
predetermined frame rate.
5. The module of claim 1, wherein the image is comprised of pixels
arranged in a predetermined row number of rows and a predetermined
column number of columns, and wherein the minor portion of the
image is comprised of pixels arranged in a number of rows less than
the predetermined row number and in a number of columns less than
the predetermined column number.
6. The module of claim 1, wherein the main controller is operative
for controlling the illuminating light assembly to illuminate the
target with illumination light having a relatively lesser
illumination light level when the range finder determines that the
target to be imaged and read is located in a close-in region of the
range, for controlling the illuminating light assembly to
illuminate the target with illumination light of a relatively
greater illumination light level when the range finder determines
that the target to be imaged and read is located in a far-out
region of the range, and for controlling the illuminating light
assembly to illuminate the target with illumination light of a
relatively intermediate illumination light level that is between
the lesser illumination light level and the greater illumination
light level when the range finder determines that the target to be
imaged and read is located in an intermediate region that is
between the close-in region and the far-out region of the
range.
7. The module of claim 1, wherein the main controller varies the
illumination light level as one of a continuous and a stepwise
function based on the at least one of the determined distance and
the determined light intensity level.
8. The module of claim 1, wherein each imager captures return light
from the target along an optical axis, and wherein the range finder
includes an aiming assembly for emitting an aiming beam along an
aiming axis that is offset from at least one of the optical
axes.
9. An imaging reader for reading targets by image capture over a
range of working distances away from the reader, comprising: a
housing having a light-transmissive window; and an imaging module
for setting at least one imaging parameter of at least one imager
for imaging the targets, the module including an imaging assembly
including a near imager for imaging targets over a relatively wider
imaging field of view, and a far imager for imaging targets over a
relatively narrower imaging field of view, the near imager being
separate from the far imager, one of the near imager or the far
imager being a default imager, an illuminating light assembly for
illuminating targets with illumination light, a range finder for
determining a distance to a target, and a main controller for
controlling the default imager to capture a minor portion of an
image of the target, for determining a light intensity level of the
captured minor portion of the image, for selecting at least one of
the imagers based on at least one of the determined distance and
the determined light intensity level, for controlling the
illuminating light assembly to illuminate the target with
illumination light at an illumination light level based on the at
least one of the determined distance and the determined light
intensity level, for setting the at least one imaging parameter of
the selected at least one imager to a predetermined value based on
the at least one of the determined light intensity level and the
determined distance, and for controlling the selected at least one
imager, which has been set with the predetermined value, to capture
an image of the target, which has been illuminated at the
illumination light level.
10. The reader of claim 9, and a memory accessible to the main
controller for storing a plurality of predetermined values of the
at least one imaging parameter for retrieval by the main
controller, and wherein the predetermined values are different
based on the at least one of the determined light intensity level
and the determined distance.
11. The reader of claim 10, wherein the main controller includes an
exposure controller and a gain controller, wherein the plurality of
predetermined values stored in the memory include a set of exposure
values for retrieval by the exposure controller and a set of gain
values for retrieval by the gain controller, wherein the exposure
values are different based on the at least one of the determined
light intensity level and the determined distance, and wherein the
gain values are different based on the at least one of the
determined light intensity level and the determined distance.
12. The reader of claim 9, wherein the default imager is controlled
by the main controller to operate at a predetermined frame rate,
and wherein the main controller determines the light intensity
level from the minor portion of the image at a rate faster than the
predetermined frame rate.
13. The reader of claim 9, wherein the image is comprised of pixels
arranged in a predetermined row number of rows and a predetermined
column number of columns, and wherein the minor portion of the
image is comprised of pixels arranged in a number of rows less than
the predetermined row number and in a number of columns less than
the predetermined column number.
14. A method of setting at least one imaging parameter of at least
one imager for imaging targets to be electro-optically read over a
range of working distances, the method comprising: providing a near
imager to image targets over a relatively wider imaging field of
view; providing a far imager to image targets over a relatively
narrower imaging field of view, the near imager being separate from
the far imager, one of the near imager or the far imager being a
default imager; providing an illuminator to illuminate targets with
illumination light; determining a distance to a target; controlling
the default imager to capture a minor portion of an image of the
target; determining a light intensity level of the captured minor
portion of the image; selecting at least one of the imagers based
on at least one of the determined distance and the determined light
intensity level; controlling the illuminating light assembly to
illuminate the target with illumination light at an illumination
light level based on the at least one of the determined distance
and the determined light intensity level; setting the at least one
imaging parameter of the selected at least one imager to a
predetermined value based on the at least one of the determined
light intensity level and the determined distance; and controlling
the selected at least one imager, which has been set with the
predetermined value, to capture an image of the target, which has
been illuminated at the illumination light level.
15. The method of claim 14, and storing a plurality of
predetermined values of the at least one imaging parameter, and
configuring the predetermined values to be different based on the
at least one of the determined light intensity level and the
determined distance.
16. The method of claim 15, and storing the plurality of
predetermined values as a set of exposure values and as a set of
gain values, and configuring the exposure values to be different
based on the at least one of the determined light intensity level
and the determined distance, and configuring the gain values to be
different based on the at least one of the determined light
intensity level and the determined distance.
17. The method of claim 14, and controlling the default imager to
operate at a predetermined frame rate, and wherein the light
intensity level is determined from the minor portion of the image
at a rate faster than the predetermined frame rate.
18. The method of claim 14, and configuring the image of pixels
arranged in a predetermined row number of rows and a predetermined
column number of columns, and configuring the minor portion of the
image of pixels arranged in a number of rows less than the
predetermined row number and in a number of columns less than the
predetermined column number.
19. The method of claim 14, and illuminating the target with
illumination light having a relatively lesser illumination light
level upon the determination that the target to be imaged and read
is located in a close-in region of the range, and with illumination
light of a relatively greater illumination light level upon the
determination that the target to be imaged and read is located in a
far-out region of the range, and with illumination light of a
relatively intermediate illumination light level that is between
the lesser illumination light level and the greater illumination
light level upon the determination that the target to be imaged and
read is located in an intermediate region that is between the
close-in region and the far-out region of the range.
20. The method of claim 14, wherein the determining of the distance
to the target is performed by emitting an aiming beam along an
aiming axis that is offset from an optical axis along which the
selected at least one imager captures the image.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/083,493, filed on Mar. 29, 2016, and
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to an imaging module
and an imaging reader for, and a method of, expeditiously setting
one or more imaging parameters, such as exposure and/or gain
values, of at least one imager for imaging targets to be
electro-optically read by image capture over a range of working
distances.
[0003] Solid-state imaging systems or imaging readers have been
used, in both handheld and/or hands-free modes of operation, to
electro-optically read targets, such as one- and two-dimensional
bar code symbol targets, and/or non-symbol targets, such as
documents. A handheld imaging reader includes a housing having a
handle held by an operator, and an imaging module, also known as a
scan engine, supported by the housing and aimed by the operator at
a target during reading. The imaging module includes an imaging
assembly having a solid-state imager or imaging sensor with an
imaging array of photocells or light sensors, which correspond to
image elements or pixels in an imaging field of view of the imager,
and an imaging lens assembly for capturing return light scattered
and/or reflected from the target being imaged, and for projecting
the return light onto the array to initiate capture of an image of
the target. Such an imager may include a one- or two-dimensional
charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide
semiconductor (CMOS) device and associated circuits for producing
and processing electronic signals corresponding to a one- or
two-dimensional array of pixel data over the imaging field of view.
In order to increase the amount of the return light captured by the
array, for example, in dimly lit environments, the imaging module
generally also includes an illuminating light assembly for
illuminating the target with illumination light in an illumination
pattern for reflection and scattering from the target.
[0004] In some applications, for example, in warehouses, it is
sometimes necessary for the same reader to read not only far-out
targets, e.g., on products located on high overhead shelves, which
are located at a far-out range of working distances on the order of
thirty to fifty feet away from the reader, but also close-in
targets, e.g., on products located at floor level or close to the
operator, which are located at a close-in range of working
distances on the order of less than two feet away from the reader.
The reader may illuminate the far-out targets by emitting an
illumination light at an intense, bright level, and capturing the
return light from the illuminated far-out targets by employing a
far-out imager having a relatively narrow field of view, and may
illuminate the close-in targets by emitting the illumination light
at a less intense, dimmer level, and capturing the return light
from the illuminated close-in targets by employing a close-in
imager having a relatively wide field of view. This variable
illumination light level enables each such target to be more
reliably imaged and successfully read.
[0005] However, the use of more than one imager and the variable
illumination level presents a challenge to reader performance. For
optimum reader performance, each target must be read by the correct
imager; the correct imager should be set with one or more optimum
imaging parameters, such as exposure values and/or gain values; and
the illumination light should be set at an optimum illumination
light level or value. These values are different for each imager,
and vary, among other things, as a function of the working distance
and of the illumination light level. Increasing the exposure and/or
the gain values of the imager, as well as increasing the
illumination light level, will increase the captured image
brightness of the image of the target, and vice versa.
[0006] In order to set an imager with one or more optimum imaging
parameters, it is known for the imager to capture an entire image
from the target, to analyze the brightness of the entire image, to
change the imaging parameters based on the analysis of the entire
image, to capture another entire image from the target, and to
repeat all the steps of this process for as many times as it takes
until the brightness of the entire image is within an acceptable
level. An automatic exposure controller (AEC) is typically used to
control the imager's exposure, and an automatic gain controller
(AGC) is typically used to control the imager's gain. A typical
known strategy is to use exposure priority, in which the exposure
is increased first until a maximum exposure time or threshold
(typically around 4-8 ms in order to reduce hand-jitter motion
effects for a handheld reader) is reached. If the image brightness
is still too low, then the gain is increased. This strategy
maximizes the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the imager, because
the gain is only increased when necessary. Although generally
satisfactory for its intended purpose, this known process is very
slow and inefficient in practice, especially when more than one
imager is involved, and when the entire known process has to be
repeated for each additional imager. Reader performance can be
deemed sluggish, and is unacceptable in many applications.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need to expeditiously select the
correct imager in such readers, to expeditiously set the selected
imager with one or more optimum imaging parameters, and to
expeditiously set the illuminating light assembly to illuminate the
target with illumination light at an optimum illumination light
level, in order to more rapidly, efficiently, reliably, and
successfully read both far-out targets and close-in targets with
the same reader.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals
refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the
separate views, together with the detailed description below, are
incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to
further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed
invention, and explain various principles and advantages of those
embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a portable imaging
reader operative for reading targets by image capture over an
extended range of working distances in accordance with this
disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of various components,
including imaging, illuminating, and range finding assemblies
supported on an imaging module that is mounted inside the reader of
FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the imaging module of FIG. 2
in isolation.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG.
3.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG.
3.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 6-6 of
FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a flow chart depicting steps performed in
accordance with a method of this disclosure.
[0016] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the
figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not
necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and
locations of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated
relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of
embodiments of the present invention.
[0017] The system and method components have been represented where
appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only
those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the
embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the
disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an imaging
module, also known as a scan engine, for setting one or more
imaging parameters, e.g., exposure and/or gain values, of at least
one imager for imaging targets to be electro-optically read over a
range of working distances away from the module. Another aspect of
the present disclosure relates to an imaging reader having a
housing for supporting the imaging module, and a light-transmissive
window on the housing.
[0019] In both aspects, the imaging module comprises an imaging
assembly including a near imager for imaging targets over a
relatively wider imaging field of view, and a far imager for
imaging targets over a relatively narrower imaging field of view.
An illuminating light assembly illuminates targets with
illumination light. A range finder determines a distance to a
target. A main controller or programmed microprocessor controls a
default one of the imagers, for example, the far imager, to capture
a minor portion of an image of the target, determines a light
intensity level of the captured minor portion of the image, selects
at least one of the imagers based on the determined distance and/or
the determined light intensity level, and controls the illuminating
light assembly to illuminate the target with illumination light at
an illumination light level based on the determined distance and/or
the determined light intensity level. In addition, the main
controller sets at least one of the imaging parameters of the
selected at least one imager to a predetermined value based on the
determined light intensity level and/or the determined distance,
and controls the selected at least one imager, which has been set
with the predetermined value, to capture an image of the target,
which has been illuminated at the illumination light level.
[0020] A memory is accessible to the main controller and stores a
plurality of predetermined values, e.g., exposure values and/or
gain values, of the at least one imaging parameter for retrieval by
the main controller from a look-up table. These predetermined
values are different based on the determined light intensity level
and/or the determined distance. Advantageously, the default imager
is controlled by the main controller to operate at a predetermined
frame rate, e.g., 60 frames per second (fps). The main controller
determines the light intensity level from the minor portion of the
image at a rate faster than the predetermined frame rate. By way of
numerical example, if the image is subdivided into four quadrants,
then the minor portion of the image can be one of these quadrants,
in which case, the main controller can determine the light
intensity level from the minor portion of the image at a rate that
is four times faster, e.g., 240 fps, than the predetermined frame
rate. Thus, the selected imager is more rapidly and efficiently set
with optimum exposure values and/or gain values than
heretofore.
[0021] Still another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a
method of setting one or more imaging parameters of at least one
imager for imaging targets to be electro-optically read over a
range of working distances. The method is performed by providing a
near imager to image targets over a relatively wider imaging field
of view, by providing a far imager to image targets over a
relatively narrower imaging field of view, by providing an
illuminator to illuminate targets with illumination light, and by
determining a distance to a target. The method is further performed
by controlling a default one of the imagers, e.g., the far imager,
to capture a minor portion of an image of the target, by
determining a light intensity level of the captured minor portion
of the image, by selecting at least one of the imagers based on the
determined distance and/or the determined light intensity level, by
controlling the illuminating light assembly to illuminate the
target with illumination light at an illumination light level based
on the determined distance and/or the determined light intensity
level, and by setting the at least one imaging parameter of the
selected at least one imager to a predetermined value based on the
determined light intensity level and/or the determined distance.
The method is still further performed by controlling the selected
at least one imager, which has been set with the predetermined
value, to capture an image of the target, which has been
illuminated at the illumination light level.
[0022] Reference numeral 30 in FIG. 1 generally identifies an
ergonomic imaging reader configured as a gun-shaped housing having
an upper barrel or body 32 and a lower handle 28 tilted rearwardly
away from the body 32 at an angle of inclination, for example,
fifteen degrees, relative to the vertical. A light-transmissive
window 26 is located adjacent the front or nose of the body 32 and
is preferably also tilted at an angle of inclination, for example,
fifteen degrees, relative to the vertical. The imaging reader 30 is
held in an operator's hand and used in a handheld mode in which a
trigger 34 is manually depressed to initiate imaging of targets,
especially bar code symbols, to be read in an extended range of
working distances, for example, on the order of thirty to fifty
feet, away from the window 26. Housings of other configurations, as
well as readers operated in the hands-free mode, could also be
employed.
[0023] As schematically shown in FIG. 2, and as more realistically
shown in FIGS. 3-6, an imaging module 10 is mounted in the reader
30 behind the window 26 and is operative, as described below, for
expeditiously setting one or more imaging parameters, e.g.,
exposure and/or gain values, of an imager for imaging targets to be
electro-optically read by image capture through the window 26 over
an extended range of working distances away from the module 10. A
target may be located anywhere in a working range of distances
between a close-in working distance (WD1) and a far-out working
distance (WD2). In a preferred embodiment, WD1 is either at, or
about eighteen inches away, from the window 26, and WD2 is much
further away, for example, over about sixty inches away from the
window 26. An intermediate working distance between WD1 and WD2 is
about eighteen to about sixty inches away from the window 26. The
module 10 includes an imaging assembly that has a near imaging
sensor or imager 12, and a near imaging lens assembly 16 for
capturing return light over a relatively wide imaging field of view
20, e.g., about thirty degrees, from a near target located in a
close-in region of the range, e.g., from about zero inches to about
eighteen inches away from the window 26, and for projecting the
captured return light onto the near imager 12, as well as a far
imaging sensor or imager 14, and a far imaging lens assembly 18 for
capturing return light over a relatively narrow imaging field of
view 22, e.g., about sixteen degrees, from a far target located in
a far-out region of the range, e.g., greater than about sixty
inches away from the window 26, and for projecting the captured
return light onto the far imager 14. Although only two imagers 12,
14 and two imaging lens assemblies 16, 18 have been illustrated in
FIG. 2, it will be understood that more than two could be provided
in the module 10.
[0024] Each imager 12, 14 is a solid-state device, for example, a
CCD or a CMOS imager having a one-dimensional array of addressable
image sensors or pixels arranged in a single, linear row, or
preferably a two-dimensional array of such sensors arranged in
mutually orthogonal rows and columns, and operative for detecting
return light captured by the respective imaging lens assemblies 16,
18 along respective imaging axes 24, 36 through the window 26. Each
imaging lens assembly is advantageously a Cooke triplet, although
other fixed focus and variable focus lens combinations can also be
employed.
[0025] As also shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, an illuminating light
assembly is also supported by the imaging module 10 and includes an
illumination light source, e.g., at least one light emitting diode
(LED) 40, stationarily mounted on an optical axis 42, and an
illuminating lens assembly that includes an illuminating lens 44
also centered on the optical axis 42. The illuminating light
assembly is shared by both imagers 12, 14. As further shown in
FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, an aiming light assembly is also supported by the
imaging module 10 and includes an aiming light source 46, e.g., a
laser, stationarily mounted on an optical axis 48, and an aiming
lens 50 centered on the optical axis 48. The aiming lens 50 may be
a diffractive or a refractive optical element, and is operative for
projecting a visible aiming light pattern on the target prior to
reading.
[0026] As further shown in FIG. 2, the imagers 12, 14, the LED 40
and the laser 46 are operatively connected to a main controller or
programmed microprocessor 52 operative for controlling the
operation of these components. A memory 54 is connected and
accessible to the controller 52. Preferably, the controller 52 is
the same as the one used for processing the return light from the
targets and for decoding the captured target images.
[0027] The aforementioned aiming light assembly also serves as a
range finder to determine the distance to a target. The aiming axis
48 is offset from the imaging axes 24, 36 so that the resulting
parallax provides target distance information. More particularly,
the parallax between the aiming axis 48 and either one of the
imaging axes 24, 36 provides range information from the pixel
position of the aiming beam on one of the imaging sensor arrays. It
is preferred to use the imaging axis 36 of the far imager 14,
because the parallax error will be greater for the far imager 14
than for the near imager 12. It will be understood that other types
of range finders, e.g., acoustic devices, can be employed to
determine the target distance. Thus, the range finder locates the
target to determine whether the target is in a close-in region, or
an intermediate region, or a far-out region, of the range.
[0028] In operation, the main controller 52 controls a default one
of the imagers, for example, the far imager 14, to capture a minor
or fractional portion of an image of the target. For example, if
the image is comprised of a two-dimensional array of pixels
arranged in a predetermined row number (M) of rows and a
predetermined column number (N) of columns, then the minor portion
of the image is comprised of a subarray of pixels arranged in a
number of rows less than M and in a number of columns less than N.
The subarray can be located anywhere on the image; for example, it
can be in a corner or central area of the image, or it can be the
area of the image covered by the aiming light pattern.
[0029] The main controller 52 then determines a light intensity
level of the captured minor portion of the image. This is performed
much faster than in the known art where the light intensity level
had to be determined from the entire image. For example, if the
default far imager 14 operates at a predetermined frame rate, e.g.,
60 frames per second (fps), and if the image is subdivided into
four quadrants, then the main controller 52 can determine the light
intensity level from the minor portion or quadrant at a rate that
is four times faster, e.g., 240 fps, than the predetermined frame
rate.
[0030] The main controller 52 then selects either the near imager
12 or the far imager 14 based on the determined distance and/or the
determined light intensity level. Once the correct imager has been
selected, the main controller 52 then sets the one or more imaging
parameters, e.g., exposure and/or gain values, of the selected
imager to a predetermined or optimum value based on the determined
light intensity level and/or the determined distance. The
aforementioned memory 54 stores a set of exposure values and/or a
set of gain values in a look-up table 60. The main controller 52
has a gain controller 56 that can access the look-up table 60 and
retrieve the correct gain value that corresponds to the determined
distance and/or the determined light intensity level. The main
controller 52 also has an exposure controller 58 that can access
the look-up table 60 and retrieve the correct exposure value that
corresponds to the determined distance and/or the determined light
intensity level. Each set of exposure and gain values includes a
range of different values, and is determined in advance by
knowledge of the F-stop and responsivity of each imager as a
function of distance away from the respective imager and/or the
light intensity level.
[0031] The main controller 52 also controls the illuminating light
assembly to illuminate the target with illumination light at an
illumination light level based on the determined distance and/or
the determined light intensity level. The main controller 52
energizes the illuminating light assembly to illuminate the target
with illumination light of a relatively lesser intensity when the
range finder determines that the target to be imaged and read is
located in a close-in region of the range; or energizes the
illuminating light assembly to illuminate the target with
illumination light of a relatively greater intensity when the range
finder determines that the target to be imaged and read is located
in a far-out region of the range; or energizes the illuminating
light assembly to illuminate the target with illumination light of
a relatively intermediate intensity that is between the lesser
intensity and the greater intensity when the range finder
determines that the target to be imaged and read is located in an
intermediate region that is between the close-in region and the
far-out region of the range.
[0032] More particularly, the main controller 52 energizes the LED
40 with a variable electrical current to vary the intensity or
level of the illumination light. By way of non-limiting numerical
example, the electrical current is on the order of 30 milliamperes
when the close-in region lies between about 0.0 inches and about
eighteen inches from the window 26, is on the order of 150
milliamperes when the intermediate region lies between about
eighteen inches and about sixty inches from the window 26, and is
on the order of 600 milliamperes when the far-out region lies
between about sixty inches and infinity from the window 26. The
main controller 52 varies the intensity of the illumination light
either as a continuous analog function, or as a stepwise,
multi-level function, of the distance determined by the range
finder.
[0033] Once the correct imager has been selected by the main
controller 52, and once the gain and/or exposure values for the
selected imager have been set by the gain and exposure controllers
56, 58, and once the illumination light level has been determined
by the main controller 52, then the selected imager is operated by
the main controller 52 to capture an image of the target to be
read. Reader performance is rapid and aggressive.
[0034] The flow chart of FIG. 7 depicts the method disclosed
herein. In step 100, the minor portion of the image of the target
is captured by one of the imagers by default, e.g., the far imager
14. In step 102, the light intensity level of the captured minor
portion of the image is determined, and the distance to the target
is also determined. Either the far imager 14 or the near imager 12
may be selected based on the determined distance and/or the
determined light intensity level in step 104. The target is
illuminated with illumination light whose illumination level is
also based on the determined distance and/or the determined light
intensity level in step 106. Then, optimum exposure and/or gain
values are set for the selected imager in step 108 by referral to
the look-up table 60. In step 110, the selected imager, whose
exposure and/or gain has already been set, captures an image of the
target, which has been illuminated at the illumination light
level.
[0035] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have
been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art
appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made
without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in
the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to
be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and
all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope
of present teachings.
[0036] The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any
element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to
occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a
critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all
the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims
including any amendments made during the pendency of this
application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
[0037] Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first
and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to
distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action
without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such
relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms
"comprises," "comprising," "has," "having," "includes,"
"including," "contains," "containing," or any other variation
thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that
a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has,
includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those
elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or
inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element
proceeded by "comprises . . . a," "has . . . a," "includes . . .
a," or "contains . . . a," does not, without more constraints,
preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the
process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has,
includes, or contains the element. The terms "a" and "an" are
defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein.
The terms "substantially," "essentially," "approximately," "about,"
or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one
non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in
another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1%, and
in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term "coupled" as used
herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly
and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is
"configured" in a certain way is configured in at least that way,
but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.
[0038] It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be
comprised of one or more generic or specialized processors (or
"processing devices") such as microprocessors, digital signal
processors, customized processors, and field programmable gate
arrays (FPGAs), and unique stored program instructions (including
both software and firmware) that control the one or more processors
to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits,
some, most, or all of the functions of the method and/or apparatus
described herein. Alternatively, some or all functions could be
implemented by a state machine that has no stored program
instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated
circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of
certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of
course, a combination of the two approaches could be used.
[0039] Moreover, an embodiment can be implemented as a
computer-readable storage medium having computer readable code
stored thereon for programming a computer (e.g., comprising a
processor) to perform a method as described and claimed herein.
Examples of such computer-readable storage mediums include, but are
not limited to, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a
magnetic storage device, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM
(Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable
Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable
Read Only Memory) and a Flash memory. Further, it is expected that
one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort
and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time,
current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the
concepts and principles disclosed herein, will be readily capable
of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with
minimal experimentation.
[0040] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the
reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure.
It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to
interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition,
in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various
features are grouped together in various embodiments for the
purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure
is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the
claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly
recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect,
inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single
disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby
incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim
standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.
* * * * *